London, June 21 (IANS) Former spinner Graeme Swann has criticised the technique of Asutralia's premier batsman Steven Smith and suggested that the prospect of facing the world's number one willower in a forthcoming Ashes series was not giving England sleepless nights.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Swann retired midway through the 2013-14 Ashes but not before dismissing the right-hander three times in 22 innings. England take on Australia in the first Ashes Test on August 8 in Cardiff.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Smith has emerged as Australia's premier batsman unleashing an avalanche of runs in recent times. He was the highest run getter in the Test series against India last year.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
But Swann believes the 26-year-old has a flawed technique and his weaknesses will be exposed against a swinging ball.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Swann also expressed his surprise at Smith being at the top of the Test rankings.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
“Yeah, because I didn’t think he was a great player. I still don’t think he’s got a great technique," he was quoted by The Guardian on Saturday. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
“He must have surprised himself, as well as everyone else, with his output. The trick for him is to try to keep that going. Whether he can, time will tell. I don’t think he’ll score runs at three if it’s swinging.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Swann also compared Smith to past Australia legends Matthew Hayden or Adam Gilchrist and said he doesn't possess the aura of invincibility like his illustrious compatriots.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
“Weakness will emerge with Steve Smith. He’s not like a Steve Waugh - a nugget with no obvious ways of getting him out. I hope for England’s sake that he’s a flash in the pan. He doesn’t strike fear in you like the Aussies used to, with a Matthew Hayden or an Adam Gilchrist.”<\/p>\r\n", "image": "https:\/\/img.cricketnmore.com\/uploads\/2015\/06\/steven-smith-11.jpg", "alt_img": "Steven Smith is not a great batsman, says spinner ", "alt_title": "Steven Smith is not a great batsman, says spinner ", "image1": "", "video": "", "seo_title": "Steven Smith is not a great batsman, says spinner Swann", "seo_desc": "Former spinner Graeme Swann has criticised the technique of Asutralia's premier ", "seo_keywords": "Steven Smith, Graeme Swann, Ashes 2015", "tag": "", "tagging": "", "status": "1", "img_rpt": "0", "google": "0", "standout": "0", "edapps": "0", "pulse": "0", "no_index": "0", "feed": "0", "fixture": "0", "slug": "steven-smith-is-not-a-great-batsman-says-spinner-swann", "user_id": "0", "read_count": "0", "ians_date": "0000-00-00", "ians_time": "00:00:00", "server_time": "0000-00-00 00:00:00", "trash": "0", "view_count": "1355", "page_break": "0", "instant_articles": "0", "auto_link": "0", "created": "2015-06-21 13:31:00", "updated": "2015-06-21 13:31:00", "img_from": "", "img_source": "", "schedule_publish": "0000-00-00 00:00:00", "news_keywords": null, "livescore_text": null, "livescore_link": null, "btn_text": null, "resend_feed": "0", "google_feed": "0", "read_more": "0", "posted_by": "1", "jio_date": "2015-06-21 13:31:00", "scheduled": "0", "news_now": "1", "breaking_news": "0", "google_date": "2015-06-21 13:31:00", "featured": "0", "pred_match_id": null, "article_content_type": null, "england_cricket": "0", "link": "https:\/\/www.cricketnmore.com\/cricket-news\/steven-smith-is-not-a-great-batsman-says-spinner-swann-10722" }